Cameroon
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Policies
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National obesity risk *7/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *4.5/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Health systems
Obesity prevalence
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6088 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Deomgraphic Health Survey, Cameroon, 2018 (in french) |
| Notes: | Includes ever married women age 15-49 years |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6980 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 704 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Engle-Stone R, Nankap, M Ndjebayi, AO, Friedman A, Tarini A, Brown KH, Kaiser L. 2018. Prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among Cameroonian women in a national survey and relationships with waist circumference and inflammation in Yaoundé and Douala. Maternal and child nutrition. 14(4) doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12648 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 4491 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | DHS 2004 |
| Notes: | Other married women 15 - 49 years |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2003
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 9454 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Kamadjeu RM, Edwards R, Atanga JS, Kiawi EC, Unwin N and Mbanya JC. (2006). Anthropometry measures and prevalence of obesity in the urban adult population of Cameroon: an update from the Cameroon Burden of Diabetes Baseline Survey. BMC Public Health, 6: 288 - 395. |
| Notes: | 4 urban districts = Yaoundé, Douala, Garoua and Bamenda |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1998
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 1658 |
| References: | SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 3-13 |
| Sample size: | 1343 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Choukem S-P, Kamdeu-Chedeu J, Leary SD, et al. Overweight and obesity in children aged 3–13 years in urban Cameroon: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and association with socio-economic status. BMC obesity. 2017;4:7. doi:10.1186/s40608-017-0146-4. |
| Notes: | Urban only with a focus on socioeconomic groups, see paper for survey design |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity, 1998-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1998: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2004: DHS 2004 2011: Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. 2018: Deomgraphic Health Survey, Cameroon, 2018 (in french) |
| Notes: | Adults aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 1998-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1998: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2004: DHS 2004 2011: Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. 2018: Deomgraphic Health Survey, Cameroon, 2018 (in french) |
| Notes: | Adults aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Overweight/obesity by education
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6088 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. 2020. Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Cameroun 2018. Yaoundé, Cameroun et Rockville, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF. |
| Notes: | Ever married women aged 15-49 years |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6980 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Overweight/obesity by age
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 6088 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. 2020. Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Cameroun 2018. Yaoundé, Cameroun et Rockville, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF. |
| Notes: | Ever married women aged 15-49 years |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 6980 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 1343 |
| Area covered: | Subnational |
| References: | Choukem et al. 2017. Overweight and obesity in children aged 3-13 years in urban Cameroon: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and association with socio-economic status. BMC Obes. 4(7). doi: 10.1186/s40608-017-0146-4. |
| Notes: | WHO cut-offs used |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by region
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6088 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. 2020. Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Cameroun 2018. Yaoundé, Cameroun et Rockville, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF. |
| Notes: | Ever married women aged 15-49 years |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6980 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 504 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Engle-Stone R, Nankap, M Ndjebayi, AO, Friedman A, Tarini A, Brown KH, Kaiser L. 2018. Prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among Cameroonian women in a national survey and relationships with waist circumference and inflammation in Yaoundé and Douala. Maternal and child nutrition. 14(4) doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12648 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6088 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. 2020. Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Cameroun 2018. Yaoundé, Cameroun et Rockville, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF. |
| Notes: | Ever married women aged 15-49 years |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6980 |
| References: | Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF. International. 2012. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Cameroun 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF International. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 3-13 |
| Sample size: | 1343 |
| Area covered: | Urban only |
| References: | Choukem S-P, Kamdeu-Chedeu J, Leary SD, et al. Overweight and obesity in children aged 3–13 years in urban Cameroon: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and association with socio-economic status. BMC obesity. 2017;4:7. doi:10.1186/s40608-017-0146-4. |
| Notes: | Urban only HSES/LSES High/Low Socio Economic Status |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
| References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
| References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months
Children, 2005-2020
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Cameroun 2018. Yaoundé, Cameroun et Rockville, Maryland, USA : INS et ICF. 2020 |
| Notes: | See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, September 2021. |
| Definitions: | % exclusively breastfed 0-5 months |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2019
| Age: | 20-79 |
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. Brussels,Belgium: 2019. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Adults, 2017
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Health systems
Economic classification: Lower Middle Income
Health systems summary
Cameroon aspires to achieve universal health coverage by 2035. Currently, however, only 6.4% of the population is covered by a community health insurance scheme and the burden of healthcare financing is on households. It is estimated that households contribute 70% of total health expenditure and 64% of households do not have access to healthcare because of high costs. There are limited public resources allocated to health leaving the public health sector not fit for purpose despite providing the majority of healthcare. The private sector in Cameroon includes non-profit religious associations, NGOs and for-profit providers. Traditional medicine is an additional – but unregulated – sector.
The Cameroonian health system faces several challenges, including but not limited to; corruption, a shortage in health professionals and outdated equipment. Cameroon’s epidemiological profile is still dominated by communicable diseases such as malaria, TB and HIV/AIDs and so non-communicable diseases are not prioritised by the government or policymakers.
Indicators
| Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | No |
| Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | No |
| Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | No |
| Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | No |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | No |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | No |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | No |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | No |
| In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Out of pocket |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Obesity is not yet considered to be disease in Cameroon and financial investment into obesity by the government is said to be non-existent. Despite prevalence being high (particularly in urban areas), there is little being done around prevention. Stakeholders called for more and better prevention policies, especially those that utilise a “life course approach”. Suggested prevention policies included those around physical activity, healthy eating and taxes on unhealthy foods. It is noted that much of the narrative around obesity is currently linked to diabetes.
It is suggested that healthcare providers only treat obesity when individuals have complications/comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Equally, individuals only enter the health system when they have obesity-related health issues. Once in the system, there are limited treatment options and because of the lack of coverage. As a result, obesity treatment tends to be paid for out of pocket.
There are no guidelines for obesity treatment and no specialist obesity training available in Cameroon.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 6 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
